Hi, I'm Nate

I'm a husband of one, a father of three, a teacher for hundreds, and a musician for thousands. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I am a music teacher and composer, web designer, and writer. I was born and raised on Colorado's front range. After serving as a missionary in Australia for two years, I returned and received my bachelor's degree in music education from the University of Northern Colorado. I met my wife there, and we were married in the Denver Temple. We now have two busy little boys and a baby girl.

I have gone on to write and arrange music for a variety of settings, including commissioned works for choirs internationally and within the United States. I have written music for universities, high school and children's choirs, and adult ensembles, and my music has been used for videos and an international awards show. My music has received several awards in the annual Church Music Submissions, and has been performed on Temple Square.

I now teach choir and orchestra to grades 5-12 in a city of 10,000 in the middle of agricultural America. In my spare time, I design and maintain several websites, run an online music publishing operation, and write poetry and nonfiction.

Why I am a Mormon

My father's parents joined the Church in the 1950s, and they were the first Mormons in my family. I was blessed to have great parents and grandparents who taught me important principles. Although I grew up knowing many of the facts about Jesus Christ and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I had to learn for myself whether the things I had been told were true.

Some people can identify one moment when they KNEW, and everything changed. For me, that process was more gradual. I prayed, read the scriptures, and did a lot of pondering. I would receive answers as I needed them, and as I was ready for them. As a student, when I encountered difficult situations, I would find guidance and hope in the principles of the Gospel. At times, I felt the hand of God guiding me in important decisions. As I attended early-morning Seminary at 6:00 a.m. each school day for my four years of high school, I became familiar with the Bible and modern scriptures, and I came to love the Savior more deeply.

When I went to college, I no longer had my parents watching my daily actions. I had to determine my own identity in a place where few people knew me from home. I already had faith in Jesus Christ, but I wanted to know more deeply what he wanted me to do. One particular night, I found a secluded place and had an honest conversation with my Father in Heaven. I already knew that the Gospel was true, but it was confirmed to me that night. I also knew that God wanted me to share what I knew with others.

I applied to serve a mission, and I went to Australia for two years. That experience solidified my faith and made me a better disciple of Christ.

I know that Jesus is my Savior and that he speaks to prophets today, just as in ancient times. He does not only speak to prophets - he can reveal the truth to each of us through the Holy Ghost. As I seek, the words of ancient and modern prophets are confirmed to me through the feelings and impressions of the Spirit.

Personal Stories

In what ways have your prayers been answered?

Answered prayer is a daily occurrence. As long as I have children who like to hide my keys, there will always be prayers in our home that may seem small, but the answers show the love of God. Prayers are answered on larger topics, too. One vivid answer to prayer occurred when I knew by the Holy Spirit who I should marry. Another answer came when we were trying to find employment, and the right job miraculously became available at an unlikely time of the year.

How I live my faith

My first responsibility in living my faith is to love my wife and raise our children well. My wonderful wife and I work hard to make sure that our home reflects heaven. She's the heart of our home. We try to live the Gospel the best we can so that the kids will understand why we believe what we teach them.

I also live my faith by serving in the Church. I am currently an early-morning Seminary teacher. Latter-day Saint high school students meet me at the Church building at 6:00 every weekday morning, and we study the scriptures together for 45 to 50 minutes. This requires a big commitment from me, but I think it requires a bigger commitment from the teenagers who attend. They dare to be different from their peers by living high standards in an increasingly difficult social environment. I count them among my heroes.

I also serve in the Church locally by directing the choir, teaching a class for men monthly. I also write and perform spiritually themed music, some of which I submit to the Church.

Outside a Church context, I try to live my faith by being a positive role model for my students. Separation of church and state prohibits sharing my faith with my students, but they see the way I live. Many of them know my wife and children. Hopefully they see a difference between our lifestyle and some of the negative influences around them.

I'm far from perfect, but I'm striving to live my faith in such a way that the Savior would be pleased with the way I represent him. I want to serve him better.

Are all Mormons required to serve a mission?

Nate answered...

I served as a missionary in Australia, and I chose to serve because I wanted to share the Gospel, not because of a requirement to go. In the Church, young men ages 19 and up have been strongly encouraged to serve missions. Those who do not serve missions for whatever reason can still enjoy all the blessings of Church membership if they are worthy, and can go to the Temple when they are ready. For me, a mission was an experience I would not trade for anything else in the world. A mission is a blessing, not a requirement to check off on a list.
Show more of my answers Show less of my answers One Moment Please
Austin. answered...

No. Every worthy young man is expected to serve a mission, though there is no punishment for not doing so. Also, not every young man is physically or mentally capable, so there are circumstances where a young man may be excused from service. Young women may also serve missions, but are not expected to do so.

Serving a mission means a full-time commitment, leaving family and friends to preach the gospel in a place assigned by the Church.

I served my mission in Los Angeles, California.

Are there restrictions based on race or color concerning who can join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and have the priesthood?

Jeff answered...

Of course not! It really doesn't matter where you are from or what color your skin is. The only things that matter are the content of your character. If you are worth to be baptized and live the gospel according to it's principles, then you are worthy to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Official Declaration 2, found in the Doctrine and Covenants, states "Every faithful, worthy man in the Church may receive the holy priesthood, with power to exercise its divine authority, and enjoy with his loved ones every blessing that flows therefrom, including the blessings of the temple. Accordingly, all worthy male members of the Church may be ordained to the priesthood without regard for race or color.” As long as you are worthy, you can be any nationality.